Beyond The Court: John Hegwood reflects on Black History Month

Tell us about your time being drafted by the San Diego Clippers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Growing up in Indiana, where sports is very popular, I began playing basketball and baseball from a very young age.?With the assistance of my coaches and the work ethic they instilled in me, it allowed me the opportunity to play both sports at a college level. This resulted in me being drafted by both organizations.?I chose basketball and had a 14-year professional career.

Tell us about CYDC Basketball and how it came about.?

CYDC Basketball was founded in 2006 with the objective to mentor and help young aspiring athletes learn the sport in a safe and positive environment.?Over the years, we were able to develop athletes to be able to play at the collegiate and professional levels. Through hard work and attention to detail, we were able to reach this objective.? Due to my work in the community and with CYDC, I was presented with the Calgary Citizen of the Year Award in 2009. ?

Tell us more about your experience representing Calgary playing for the 88's.

It was a great experience playing with the Calgary 88's. It allowed me to play with some of the best young talent in the world.?It gave me the opportunity to play in a different country and learn a new culture.?I believe it also played a role in introducing basketball to a hockey town.

What does Black History Month mean to you personally??

Black History Month to me means the celebration of Black achievement. We celebrate and honour those who have made extraordinary contributions to society.

How can organizations better celebrate diversity and inclusion, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year??

By embracing athletes with different backgrounds and celebrating our differences on and off the court throughout the year.

How do you hope to contribute to the broader conversation around diversity and inclusion???

By educating our coaches and players and ensuring that all of our athletes always feel safe and respected in our gyms.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to achieve success in their careers?

I would encourage them to believe in their dreams, work hard and to realize that they will have some obstacles along the way but to never give up.

Have you had mentors who played a significant role in your career? How did they influence you?

Yes, I have had several mentors that played a role in my career. They taught me to never accept failure, continue to dream, set goals, and to pursue greatness.? They also taught me how important it is to pay it forward.